Sylvan Street Artists' Biographies

Jay Rees, bass, is an accomplished musician in jazz performance, having appeared throughout the U.S., Canada and Japan. A composer of original music for jazz, wind ensemble, concert and athletic bands, Rees’ diverse works are commissioned and performed by major universities and high schools across the country.  As bassist and musical director, he toured with the international recording act The Lettermen and is featured on their 1991 album release Now and Then. Rees is currently a full professor at The University of Arizona School of Music, bringing his wealth of experience as conductor, composer, arranger, and performer. He conducts the UA Wind Symphony and is Director of the UA Pride of Arizona marching and pep bands.  Rees is also a featured performer at Southern Arizona’s annual AZ Jazz Concert Series.


Kelland Thomas, saxophone, is a versatile musician comfortable in a variety of genres.  He appears frequently throughout the U.S., performing with the Firecracker Jazz Band, the Original Wildcat Jazz Band, Descarga, and as lead tenor saxophone with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.  Thomas has backed such acts as The Four Tops, Diane Schuur, Manhattan Transfer, The Spinners, Sam Moore, Jimmy Heath, and Marcus Belgrave. He is also musical director for Salsarengue, a new ensemble specializing in Latin Jazz, Salsa, and Dominican Merengue. Thomas serves on the faculty of the University of Arizona School of Music as both Coordinator of the Camerata Career Development Program and Professor of Saxophone.


Chad Shoopman, trumpet, performs regularly for Walt Disney World Co.. the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra, the Dan McMillion Groovin' High Big Band, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, and the hr-Big Band in Frankfurt, Germany.  He is an artist for Powell Signature Series Trumpets and Warburton Mouthpieces.  As lead trumpeter with The Chuck Owen Jazz Surge Big Band, Shoopman has worked and recorded with such artists as Randy Brecker, Chick Corea, and Bob Mintzer. Other credits include appearances with Patti Austin, Louie Bellson, Shelley Berg, Peabo Bryson, Kristen Chenoweth, Pete Christlieb, Peter Erskine, Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, and Bill Watrous.. Shoopman is an avid studio player having recorded numerous projects for television, film, and radio as well as sessions for Disney shows and theme parks worldwide. Originally from Tucson, Shoopman is a graduate of The University of Arizona with degrees in Music Education and Conducting Performance.


Frank Browne, guitar
Frank Browne resides in Los Angeles and tours regularly throughout the United States. He has performed on stage with many national acts including the jazz ensemble Big Brothers Big Band, and Zoot suit Revue, the acclaimed swing, big band, latin and jump blues show group. Browne is heard on ZSR’s album “Bold, Borrowed and New” as well as three CDs with Gary Urwin's Studio Orchestra. Their latest recording “Kindred Spirits ” features legendary saxophonist Pete Chrsitlieb and trombonist Bill Watrous. Browne has appeared in major cities from coast to coast and at such notable venues as The Derby, The Coconut Club, The Supper Club NY, House of Blues, and the MGM Grand. Browne’s original guitar duo, Taylor & Browne, released the CD “Best Kept Secrets,” and performed a tour of select dates across the Southwest. Fluent in all musical genres, he also maintains a large studio of private students. Browne originally hails from New York and is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Music.


Andrew Hix, drums/vocals, has a diverse musical range having performed and recorded with artists in both Chicago and Los Angeles.  He toured throughout the U.S. and Canada playing with several name acts including The Diamonds, The Coasters, Little Anthony, Del Shannon, and The Platters.  Hix works extensively in the jazz clubs of Chicago, including the Apollo Theatre. In addition to performing, he is co-owner of Hix Brothers Music, where he also works as percussion faculty. Hix is a graduate of DePaul University’s School of Music.


Evan Rees, piano/keyboards, is an accomplished jazz and classical pianist at a remarkably young age.  He began playing piano at the age of 7 and has received numerous honors and awards.  He currently performs with Tucson JazzWerx, an outreach combo of the Tucson Jazz Society.  In 2008, he received the Felton Family Jazz Scholarship Award at the Northern Arizona University Summer Jazz Institute. In addition to Sylvan Street, Evan has performed alongside such notable musicians as Grammy Award-winning tenor saxophonist Brice Winston, and jazz bassist Joel DiBartolo of the Doc Severinsen and Tonight Show bands.  Evan is a student at University High School in Tucson, AZ.


Douglas McCullough, percussion, will be making a special guest appearance with Sylvan Street at their Beavercreek Weekend of Jazz Performance. A graduate of The Ohio University School of Music, Doug is in his 30th year of teaching, and his 22nd year as director of bands at Beavercreek High School. His diverse musical background includes being a percussion clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States, percussion arranger for Warner Bros. Marching Band Publications and numerous bands around the United States. He is a former percussion staff member of The Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, as well as an assistant staff member for Yamaha Sounds of Summer Clinics. He continues to play professionally in the tri-state area. He has played professionally with many jazz artists such as Ed Thigpen, Bob Mintzer, Deborah Brown, Chris Vadala, Clarke Terry, Bill Watrous, Buddy DeFranko, Sunny Wilkinson, Dizzy Gillespie, Jim Pugh, Bill Cunliffe, and Jeff Hamilton. Doug plays Toca Latin Percussion Instruments, Zildjian Cymbals, and Regal Tip Sticks.



Watch a couple of performances by Sylvan Street via YouTube!

"Rub The Buddha" live performance by SYLVAN STREET


"T.E.'s Blues" live performance by SYLVAN STREET